Anxiety
Wednesday 8 February 2017
Anxiety comes in many different forms and it can feel very different for each person. It is important to learn the difference between feeling anxious about stressful events such as a job interview or exam, and ongoing anxiety that affects your everyday activities. This type of ongoing, all-over anxiety is called generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
Personally, I have struggled with anxiety for many years and have felt the effects of it in many different forms including having panic attacks. Everybody struggles with feeling anxious at some point and it is important to remember that you are not alone and there is things you can do to help.
Anxiety is described as “a disorder characterised by intense, frequent or continuous anxiety, which may lead to disruptive avoidance behaviour” (Burton, Westen, & Kowalski, 2012).
Anxiety related disorders:
It is common that people who experience generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can also live with other mental illnesses such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Signs and Symptoms:
These can differ from person to person however here are some key symptoms that people with GAD can experience:
· Expecting the worst
· Worry excessively about everyday things when there is no need to worry
· Not being able to relax
· Avoid different situations that may make them anxious
· Feelings of edginess and restlessness
· Poor sleep
Diagnosing Anxiety:
Although there is no test for anxiety, it is important that if you find your anxiety restricting you visit a health professional such as a GP or clinical psychologist in order to assess your situation and decide on a plan going forward.
Treatment options:
There are many different options for treating GAD, here are some of them:
· Medication: It is important to understand that it can take time to find a medication that is right for you
· Therapy: This can include talking therapies which can be very useful for children and young adults experiencing anxiety symptoms.
· Complimentary therapies: this can include things as exercise, mindfulness, yoga and much more.
Where you can find help:
• Lowdown: thelowdown.co.nz
• Sparx: sparx.org.nz/about
• Healthline: 0800 611 116. (Available 24 hours, 7 days a week and free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone).
• Lifeline 0800 543 35
• Samaritans – 0800 726 666 (for callers from the Lower North Island, Christchurch and West Coast) or 04 473 9739 (for callers from all other regions)
• Ministry of Health. Online self-test
• Big White Wall. Free for Auckland DHB residents. A UK-based professionally facilitated peer support community of people who are experiencing common mental health problems.
• Beating the Blues. Online CBT therapy module, NZ
• CALM Website. Exercises and information you can download.
• Depression.org.nz including The Journal. NZ based self-help program designed to teach you skills that can help get through mild to moderate depression more effectively.
• UK Mental Health Foundation. Free audio podcasts that can help you relax and improve your sense of wellbeing.
Thank you to ‘The Mental Health Foundation’ for their support on this post.
If you would like to donate to The Mental Health Foundation click here.
Textbook reference used: Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. M. (2012). Psychology. Milton, Qld.: John Wiley and Sons Australia.
MENU SOCIAL LINKS